Saturday June 22, 2013: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Lobby

AADL hosts the 2013 Kids Read Comics Celebration on Saturday June 22 & Sunday June 23, bringing more than forty cartoonists and writers to the Downtown Library for the entire weekend. This is the fifth annual KRCC, an event that promotes comics as a part of lifelong reading and as a means of creative expression for kids and teens.

Among the guests are Ben Hatke of "Zita the Spacegirl;" Raina Telgemeier, creator of the award-winning "Smile and Drama;" Dave Roman of "Jax Epoch And The Quicken Forbidden" and "Astronaut Academy;" and Rafael Rosado, who has been a writer, director, producer and storyboard artist for shows as diverse as Animaniacs, Men In Black The Animated Series, Curious George, and The Venture Brothers. His all-ages graphic novel, "Giants Beware!" was published by First Second Books earlier this year.

Stressing active engagement over passive consumption, the weekend will include hands-on workshops covering such topics as learning to draw funny people from wacky shapes, writing and drawing minicomics, and much more. Artists will demonstrate how they do what they do while answering audience questions, and the always popular Quick Draw competitions will pit artists head to head as they improvise drawings based on suggestions from spectators. Other programs will be geared to educators and librarians to help them learn how to use comics most effectively in their settings.

At tables in Artists' Alley, kids, teens and parents will have a chance to talk one-on-one with comics creators -- who have been known to toss off free sketches along with offering their comics and books for sale. Free giveaways will also include comic books donated by publishers big and small, including DC Comics, Archie Comics, Top Shelf Productions and Oni Press.

The Kids Reads Comics Celebration offers something for just about everyone, using the magic of comics to open up the imaginations of kids of all ages. And all activities, as well as every artist's and writer's table in Artists' Alley, will offer a code as part of AADL's Summer Game.

Kids Reads Comics is co-sponsored by the Ann Arbor Book Festival. Information about Kids Read Comics guests and programming is available at www.kidsreadcomics.org.

This event is for grade 4 - adult.

Sunday June 23, 2013: 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Lobby

AADL hosts the 2013 Kids Read Comics Celebration on Saturday June 22 & Sunday June 23, bringing more than forty cartoonists and writers to the Downtown Library for the entire weekend. This is the fifth annual KRCC, an event that promotes comics as a part of lifelong reading and as a means of creative expression for kids and teens.

Among the guests are Ben Hatke of "Zita the Spacegirl;" Raina Telgemeier, creator of the award-winning "Smile and Drama;" Dave Roman of "Jax Epoch And The Quicken Forbidden" and "Astronaut Academy;" and Rafael Rosado, who has been a writer, director, producer and storyboard artist for shows as diverse as Animaniacs, Men In Black The Animated Series, Curious George, and The Venture Brothers. His all-ages graphic novel, "Giants Beware!" was published by First Second Books earlier this year.

Stressing active engagement over passive consumption, the weekend will include hands-on workshops covering such topics as learning to draw funny people from wacky shapes, writing and drawing minicomics, and much more. Artists will demonstrate how they do what they do while answering audience questions, and the always popular Quick Draw competitions will pit artists head to head as they improvise drawings based on suggestions from spectators. Other programs will be geared to educators and librarians to help them learn how to use comics most effectively in their settings.

At tables in Artists' Alley, kids, teens and parents will have a chance to talk one-on-one with comics creators -- who have been known to toss off free sketches along with offering their comics and books for sale. Free giveaways will also include comic books donated by publishers big and small, including DC Comics, Archie Comics, Top Shelf Productions and Oni Press.

The Kids Reads Comics Celebration offers something for just about everyone, using the magic of comics to open up the imaginations of kids of all ages. And all activities, as well as every artist's and writer's table in Artists' Alley, will offer a code as part of AADL's Summer Game.

Kids Reads Comics is co-sponsored by the Ann Arbor Book Festival. Information about Kids Read Comics guests and programming is available at www.kidsreadcomics.org.

This event is for grade 4 - adult.

Sunday June 23, 2013: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Top of the Park
 (map)

Kids Rock@Top Concerts continue!! Do not miss this family-friendly concert with The Candy Band on the Rackham stage!

The Candy Band is a punk rock band designed specifically to appeal to children. It is composed of four Detroit area moms who were tired of what they deemed wimpy music for kids. They took a stand, and in 2003 formed The Candy Band, playing punk covers of nursery rhymes, movie themes and other children's favorites, along with original tunes. With influences like the Ramones and Iggy Pop, they quickly attracted attention from the Wall Street Journal, New York Post, The Times, Blender Magazine, XM Radio, Woman's Day, USA Today, People Magazine, the CBS Early Show, and the NBC Today Show. Their first album, Candy Band, was released in 2003. It was followed by More Candy in 2004, Lollipunk in 2005, Calling All Kids in 2007, and High Five in 2010.

So, fill up your sippy cup, fasten your seatbelts and put your fists in the air - The Candy Band wants to rock your world!

This event is the second in the Kids Rock Series@TOP - a Sunday series of concerts at Top of the Park, presented by AADL and the Summer Festival.

Monday June 24, 2013: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Training Center

Design and fly spacecraft that are capable of trans-continental or even interplanetary travel!

Kerbal Space Program is a multi-genre game where players create their own space program. It's a Slapdash Spaceflight Sandbox, and you're in control of your nation's space program.

Participation in "Race to Space" events includes codes for Summer Game space badges and requires your attendance for the entire scheduled time.

This event is for teens (grades 6-12).

Monday June 24, 2013: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Training Center

This session ratchets up the difficulty level with the goal of leaving Kerbal's orbit and landing on the Mun!

Kerbal Space Program is a multi-genre game where the players create their own space program. Participation in "Race to Space" events includes codes for Summer Game space badges and requires your attendance for the entire scheduled time.

This event is for teens (grades 6-12).

Tuesday June 25, 2013: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Explore the fundamentals of logic, programming and robotics design with LEGO NXT! You will build, test, and tweak your robot, then COMPETE.

Participation in "Race to Space" events includes codes for Summer Game space badges and requires your attendance for the entire scheduled time.

This event is for teens (grades 6-12).

Friday June 28, 2013: 9:45 pm to 11:45 pm -- Top of the Park
 (map)

Become a Superhero!

Created by Spanish arts collective Wildbytes, Superhero is an interactive projection mapping experience in which participants are transformed into superheroes using Kinect cameras and customized software.

A digital art exhibition at Top of the Park over multiple nights (Friday June 28 - Sunday, June 30 - 9:45 - 11:45 pm), festival-goers will be able to fly over the historic facade of the Burton Memorial Tower while enjoying a number of super powers, which they can control with natural gestures. These powers included throwing light balls, becoming gigantic or tiny, and, of course, flying.

Wildbytes is an art and technology studio based in Madrid and New York. Their work is focused on creating engaging, interactive experiences that are often displayed as large-scale projections in public events. Producing new technology in the process, the main goal of Wildbytes' projects is to create immersive experiences that trigger emotion through participation. Wildbytes' interdisciplinary work has been exhibited in institutions around the world including Ars Electronica (Austria), FILE (International Festival of Electronic Language).

This event is for all ages.

Saturday June 29, 2013: 9:45 pm to 11:45 pm -- Top of the Park
 (map)

Become a Superhero!

Created by Spanish arts collective Wildbytes, Superhero is an interactive projection mapping experience in which participants are transformed into superheroes using Kinect cameras and customized software.

A digital art exhibition at Top of the Park over multiple nights (Friday June 28 - Sunday, June 30 - 9:45 - 11:45 pm), festival-goers will be able to fly over the historic facade of the Burton Memorial Tower while enjoying a number of super powers, which they can control with natural gestures. These powers included throwing light balls, becoming gigantic or tiny, and, of course, flying.

Wildbytes is an art and technology studio based in Madrid and New York. Their work is focused on creating engaging, interactive experiences that are often displayed as large-scale projections in public events. Producing new technology in the process, the main goal of Wildbytes' projects is to create immersive experiences that trigger emotion through participation. Wildbytes' interdisciplinary work has been exhibited in institutions around the world including Ars Electronica (Austria), FILE (International Festival of Electronic Language).

This event is for all ages.

Sunday June 30, 2013: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Meet The Not-Its! in person on the afternoon of their Top Of The Park Kids Rock performance.

This hands-on music creation workshop will give music lovers and fans a chance to learn how The Not-Its! combine crunchy guitars with smooth, four-part harmonies, to create pop gems.

Their high-energy stage performances are guaranteed to get audiences on their feet and jumping around with delight. Their debut album, We Are The Not-Its!, took the kindie rock scene by storm, receiving a Fids & Family Music Award for one of the best family music albums of 2009. It's clear they are on a mission to make kids dance, with up-tempo, power-pop hits families love.

Meet them in person as they teach you how they create their fantastic sounds. This event is for grades K - 5.

Sunday June 30, 2013: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm -- Top of the Park
 (map)

Kids Rock@Top Concerts continue!! Do not miss this final family-friendly concert in the series with The Not-Its! on the Rackham stage!

Seattle kindie rock band The Not-Its! took the children's music world by storm with their award-winning debut album, We Are The Not-Its! Featuring lead vocals by Sarah Shannon (of lauded '90s indie-pop band Velocity Girl), The Not-Its! combine crunchy guitars with smooth, four-part harmonies, all nestled within "fantastic danceable pop gems about gettin' fancy, birthday parties, bath time, and intergalactic play dates."

Their high-energy performance makes the ENTIRE family want to dance along and jump up and down. They have created a movement - a family connection that brings out the kid power in all of us.... The Not-Its! Nation!!

This event is presented by AADL and the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, and is also the last in the Kids Rock Series@TOP - a Sunday series of concerts at Top of the Park, presented by AADL and the Summer Festival.

This event is for all ages.

Sunday June 30, 2013: 9:45 pm to 11:45 pm -- Top of the Park
 (map)

Become a Superhero!

Created by Spanish arts collective Wildbytes, Superhero is an interactive projection mapping experience in which participants are transformed into superheroes using Kinect cameras and customized software.

A digital art exhibition at Top of the Park over multiple nights (Friday June 28 - Sunday, June 30 - 9:45 - 11:45 pm), festival-goers will be able to fly over the historic facade of the Burton Memorial Tower while enjoying a number of super powers, which they can control with natural gestures. These powers included throwing light balls, becoming gigantic or tiny, and, of course, flying.

Wildbytes is an art and technology studio based in Madrid and New York. Their work is focused on creating engaging, interactive experiences that are often displayed as large-scale projections in public events. Producing new technology in the process, the main goal of Wildbytes' projects is to create immersive experiences that trigger emotion through participation. Wildbytes' interdisciplinary work has been exhibited in institutions around the world including Ars Electronica (Austria), FILE (International Festival of Electronic Language).

This event is for all ages.

Friday July 12, 2013: 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Look for the AADL booth on Liberty Street at the Rolling Sculpture Car Show and enjoy activities for awesome Summer Game prizes.

This event is for all ages.

Saturday July 13, 2013: 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm -- Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB

If you like to explore your community and/or hunt for treasures, this is your event!

Using a GPSenabled device, geocachers travel to coordinates posted on geocaching.com and find caches filled with fun, inexpensive treasures! Area geocachers will be here to teach you how you can play and how to find the Summer Game geocache!

This event is for adults and teens (grade 6 and up).

Sunday July 14, 2013: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Spend the afternoon with Anna Hrachovec - famous Brooklyn knitter, fiber artist and creator of the amazing Mochimochi Land world of tiny knitted toys, creatures and spectacular installations.

Anna will do a fun slideshow presentation, answer questions and talk about the amazing world of tiny knitting she has created.

Mochimochi Land was launched in 2007 as a place where knitted toys and people can live together in a spirit of tolerance. The characters that inhabit Mochimochi Land are Anna's original designs. Anna finds inspiration in Hello Kitty, Pee-Wee's Playhouse, and illustrators like Dr Seuss and Mary Blair. Anna's knitted toys have been featured on The Martha Stewart Show, all around the web, and in print. The mochimochiland.com website also features Anna's books, kits, and downloadable knitting and cross-stitch patterns. Printed Mochimochi Land patterns and kits are also available.

When she's not designing patterns to share with fellow crafters, Anna creates character-based fiber art, which has been exhibited throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. You can also see her art at annahrachovec.com.

Anna's three books will be on sale and she will be signing after her presentation. Players of the AADL summer game keep your eyes peeled for special MochiMochi badges, installations around town & more!

This event is for adults and teens (grade 6 and up).

Thursday July 18, 2013: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Explore the fundamentals of robotics design with LEGO NXT! Build, test, tweak your robot, then COMPETE.

Participation in "Race to Space" events includes codes for Summer Game space badges if you attend the entire event.

This event is for teens (grades 6-12).

Sunday July 21, 2013: 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Spend the afternoon with Top Chef Season 10 Winner, Kristen Kish. Kristen will talk about her Michigan roots, her culinary journey, her Top Chef experience and her chef career in Boston.

Monday July 22, 2013: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Are you an Angry Birds expert?

Come test your bird launching skills at this life-sized version of the game. No birds (or piggies) will be harmed at this program!

The Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center is located at 2960 Washtenaw Avenue in Ann Arbor. This event is for grades K-5.

Thursday July 25, 2013: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room

How much do you know about Ann Arbor?

Test your knowledge of all things local! From old theaters and record shops to old time-y famous figures, we'll be pulling out weird and wonderful bits of Ann Arbor's history from our Old News archives.

Show up with a team of 4-5 players, or arrive solo, ready to band together with other townies ready to test their knowledge. There will be prizes, lots of fun, excellent company and the chance to learn more about A2!

Friday July 26, 2013: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Training Center

Kerbal Space Program is a multi-genre game where players create their own space program.

You'll have complete control of your nation's space program. Codes for Summer Game space badges will be included if you attend the entire event.

This event is for teens (grades 6-12).

Friday July 26, 2013: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Training Center

Try to leave Kerbal's orbit for a Mun landing!

Kerbal Space Program is a Slapdash Spaceflight Sandbox where you have complete control! Participation in "Race to Space" events includes codes for Summer Game space badges if you attend the entire event.

This event is for teens (grades 6-12).